GIVE OR TAKE A METRE

Me hat’s off, me sleeves are rolled up, and I’m ready for the fray, this poem’s about correctness, critic’s will take bay.You see, I never wrote a poem, including the Aussie Bushy ones, ones that I cant match.Until a tragic incident occurred, in my locale, in my backyard, described as bein’ on my patch.This will be time well spent, so of I went, to write a rhyming poem.Heart full of sorrow. Who’s words can I borrow, bugger it, the words will be my own.

All about a flooded creek, my first attempt was written.Many more crappy rhyming verse then followed, Farley’s brain was smitten.Then based with prior learning, living life if you will. I’ll base me poems on a life of yore, my memories I will fill.Well you can’t believe how vernacular weaved, in and out this Bushy narrative.I soon found out, with out a doubt, bends some words use some slang, from Aussie stuff the decretive.

And then down the track, from way outback, from left field the bitter truth rose up and bit me lame.I read some stuff by a bloke named Ellis, Campbell is his last name. Beloved Bush poems is his game, my work he puts to shame, shameful, followed by the then some.It’s the reason why I’m trying hard to do good things, so why am I so bloody winsome.

What an Aussie champ, his writing tips I follow with enjambment, onomatopoeia and metaphors in quick succession.Problem is, old Aussie mate, my minds to thick to comprehend the science of the mission.

I think I’ve got a handle on rhythm, on caesurae, similes and clichés, and maybe a stanza dream.Constantly revise me poems, cant get monometer right and have to re-write the rotten theme.My poems are full of self-procrastination, self-indulgence, me, I, and a little more of self.But, then 60 years plus, arse out of me duds, so I can’t sit on the shelf.Our poetry, my regret, is miles and miles apart, you hark from Coolah, so I must give thoughts impart.

My Pommie ancestors settled in the upper Hunter, we might be cousins, now there’s a merry start.Well sorry Ellis Campbell, if in the cupboard the skeleton resides, and writes.Maybe you will disown this poet, but I look for your clergy often, my pledge will be to put it right.And, so with this tongue in cheek analogy, respect to you not with-holden’.Best wishes from all Bushy Aussies, you bloody beauty, keep the words unfolden’.